MOGADISHU, Somalia, November 4, 2013 – A two-day stakeholder workshop was held in Mogadishu on November 3 and 4 as part of the preparation of an Ethical Code for Somali journalists.
Engaging grassroots contributions from representative groups of journalists from Mogadishu, Garowe, Galkacyo, Baidoa and Kismayo, the workshop prepared a draft that will be shared with journalists throughout Somalia, encouraging comment and input by all stakeholders.
The Principal organizations involved in this process are Article 19, Centre for Research and Dialogue, Albany Associates-AU/UN IST, Media Association of Puntland, Mogadishu Media House and the National Union of Somali Journalists. The initiative is being carried out under the UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communications (IPDC).
“This is an important step in establishing professionalism among Somali journalists, providing a common guide of moral and ethical practice that will assist the journalists, the credibility of their work and the media operators through which they are published”, Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
The workshop considered recommendations and examples of best Ethical practice from international and regional organizations and used these in preparing a Somali draft that addresses the particular needs of journalists working in this unique environment.
The draft code will disseminated by NUSOJ, MAP and MMH enabling all interested parties and individuals to engage in the process and making the final Ethical Code a product made by and for Somali journalists.
